Pilot Project to Address Environmental Degradation in Haiti

Elements of Innovation

• Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
• Data, Research and Technology
• Diversity, Gender and Inclusion

What is the project about?

Over the past years, Haiti's urbanisation has escalated rapidly, increasing vulnerability to climate-related risks, with 78 per cent of built-up land at high seismic risk. Waste pollution further exacerbates the situation.

In light of this reality, the project focuses on mitigating environmental degradation as a driver of migration, addressing the pressing challenges faced by Haiti due to the impact of climate change. It does so by enhancing access to sustainable housing through innovative construction materials and plastic waste management. Through this initiative, a six-month research study was launched to analyze Haiti's plastic waste management and construction market, considering economic, technical, gender- sensitive, and socio-cultural factors, in collaboration with key local partners. By creating recycled plastic construction materials, the project aims to decrease disaster risk, promote resilient communities, and reduce vulnerability to environmental challenges, displacement, and housing problems in the country.

How is the project innovative?

This project is innovative as it combines sustainable housing solutions with environmental preservation, exploring new areas of work to address migration drivers. The integration of recycled plastic as a construction material not only offers an eco-friendly alternative but also directly addresses the plastic waste crisis in the region. At the same time, the comprehensive six-month research study sets a precedent by examining economic, technical, gender- specific, and socio-cultural aspects, through an intersectional approach. This in-depth analysis ensures that solutions are tailored to the local context and encompass a whole understanding of the issue.

Furthermore, collaboration with key partners such as the National Laboratory of Public Works and Haiti's Plastic Bank demonstrates a strategic synergy, leveraging technical knowledge and community engagement. Finally, the project's tangible implementation through a pilot initiative provides practical insights and data, enabling the assessment of the effectiveness of the innovative construction material. The potential scalability and replicability of this model could reshape how environmental degradation, housing challenges, and migration are approached in Haiti and beyond, making it an innovative and potentially transformative effort.